Just Love Those Eyes!

One of the rich blessings of adoption is that variety is often added to the family gene pool. In our case, the Lord has gave us Eliana's half-moon crescent eyes. They are a completely different shape than those of anyone else in our tribe. I just love the way Eliana's crinkle into tight slits when she's happy. The consensus in the family is that the beauty of her eyes is increased by their deep brown color. We thank God that He had made our family more diverse and beautiful by adding Eliana to our number.

I look forward to seeing what the eyes of Eliana's children look like! I sure hope the happy crescents are replicated in the next generation! What a blessing adoption is!

What's Worked For Us: Becoming Twelve (With Recipe)

A few weeks ago I posted about Hope turning twelve.

Last night, with her dad's help, she became...well...more twelve.

Let me explain. It's one thing to turn a numerical age. It's another to reach the real capability of an age as you're growing up.

In our family, we begin training them in the kitchen from the time their tall enough to see over the counter. We try to teach them enough to be able to help with the preparation of meals. However, around the time our kiddos turn twelve, our goal changes. Our desire is that with additional training from us, they will make the transition from being kitchen help to having enough culinary skill to be able to prepare dinner for the family without assistance.

We view our children's ability to cook as one of the most important life skills they'll need for the rest of their lives. After all, we all have to eat three times a day, right? We believe this for both our sons and daughters. Only the Lord knows when He may bring them together with a future spouse, so both boys and girls need to be able to cook for themselves. 

We rotate cooking nights among the children, and last night it was Hope's turn to lead. Normally, she's still paired with an older sibling. Yesterday, however, her partner was out of town.

So her dad, who was already a great cook when we married, spent the hour prior to dinner doing some of the crucial training that will allow Hope to become a great cook herself. As he invested in her, Hope learned how to make Sour Cream Enchiladas, one of our family's favorite entrees.

I wish I had taken a photo of the beautiful dish Hope created with some coaching from her daddy. His intentionality in making sure she learns her way around the kitchen blessed all of us. We had the yummiest enchiladas we've had in a very long time. In addition, Hope sat a bit taller at the table last night. Her confidence had been given a solid boost. Even she could sense that she's now more twelve...not just numerically that age but now just that much more capable of contributing to the family's needs in the kitchen.

Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try these yummy creations for yourself.

Jane and Jean's Sour Cream Enchiladas

4 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 can chopped green chiles, drained
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 bunch of finely sliced green onions
16 oz sour cream

12 standard size flour tortillas
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.

Mix and heat the first five ingredients in a large pan on the stove to make the enchilada sauce. Set aside half the mixture after completing this step.

Spray a 9x13" pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons of the heated mixture into a flour tortilla. Roll it up tightly and place it in the 9x13" pan. Repeat this step until you have filled 12 tortillas.

Now pour the remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Use a spoon to spread the mixture evenly, making sure to coat all the tortillas to prevent burning. Spread the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the enchiladas and sauce. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese if fully melted.

Let the enchiladas set for about 15 minutes before attempting to serve. We like to cut the enchiladas into 3x3" squares to serve. Enjoy!

First Year of Marriage: Paradise or Purgatory?

With all the attention on our blog regarding weddings during the past year, I'd love to take this opportunity to give you Alison's impression of the first eight months of her marriage to Eric. They were wed last October following a long-distance courtship.

This week she updated her blog, Impassioned Purity, with a post about what they've learned thus far as they walk the sometimes rugged trail of newlyweds.

Among other things, Alison addresses the common thought that the first year of marriage is bound to be a hard one.

Here are Alison's reflections from her post: 8 Months: A Learning.

Forever: Natalie and Jack

Our recent weeks have been filled with opportunities to celebrate. Last weekend our family was invited to attend the wedding of a young woman who grew up with our oldest kiddos. Natalie was about nine when our families met through church.

In keeping with tradition, Natalie's daddy, Tom, walked his precious treasure down the aisle toward that special man to whom he would entrust his daughter. For Tom this was undoubtedly an emotion-filled moment. Natalie is both his youngest child and his only daughter.

(Before I go on, did you note the color of the groom's shoes? Both the bride and her man wore matching bright lemon sneakers. I love their courage to stand out from the crowd!)

After passing Natalie's mom, who sat in the front row dabbing her eyes, Tom placed Natalie's hand in Jack's gentle grasp.

The entire wedding party was now assembled.

The first order of business?

Laying the foundation for the union in prayer...

...as maid-of-honor Lindsey looked on. Lindsey and Natalie have been friends since they were toddlers.

After the introductory remarks, Natalie's oldest brother, Tyler, left his spot as a groomsman to sing. Another of Natalie's brother's, Jacob, added percussion on a beat box. He, too, was one of the groomsmen. Both men's wives, Natalie's sisters-in-law, were among the bridesmaids.

The pastor reminded the couple of the staggering importance of building their marriage on the only rock that will stand ~ Jesus.

The bride and groom then moved to the far side of the platform to physically wash one another's feet, just as Jesus did for His disciples shortly before His death. Through this act, Jack and Natalie publicly confirmed their commitment to serve each other throughout their marriage.

I found myself weeping quietly as Natalie washed Jack's feet. Jack serves our country in the Air Force. As Natalie caressed his feet with soap and water, what came to my mind was a picture of heavy boots caked with the dust of dangerous parts of our globe.

Jack will need a humble, gentle, yet strong help-meet at his side. As a military wife, Natalie will play a crucial role in keeping her man strong and sane as he is pushed to his limits carrying out tasks on which lives will depend.

Oh, may Natalie be blessed by the Lord with a selfless heart, always happy to serve her man, even in the most menial, thankless ways. What will be the outcome for Natalie of serving Jack for the duration of their decades together? Joy. Soul-deep satisfaction. The Lord's smile.

Natalie's grin just before the announcement that they were now husband and wife was irrepressible.

And was followed immediately by a happy kiss.

Natalie stepped from sanctuary into a heartfelt embrace from her new mother-in-law. Two families had become one.

Outside the church, a large group assembled to watch the wedding party depart in a massive limousine. Kirsten (left) and Christina were among those gathered.

As happens at all wedding receptions, the friends and family gathered eagerly awaited the whispered words, "They're here!"

Since I so enjoy taking photographs at weddings, I was probably even more in-tune to the clues that the wedding party had arrived than others might have been. When I sensed the rustle, I jumped up from my seat and made my way to the building's foyer. The newlyweds had indeed arrived, there was just one problem ~ getting Natalie's dress to bustle. The beautiful gown was resisting all efforts.

Even her dad stepped in to lend a hand!

Meanwhile, the rest of the wedding party was already lined up, eager to make their grand entrance. Here Natalie and her mom, Shelly, are watching the wedding party's antics.

As the mother and bride relied on others to figure out the dress, a sweet moment between Shelly and Natalie ensued. 

As the all-out effort continued, I decided to take advantage of the wait to satisfy my curiosity. I stepped over and asked Natalie about a couple of items I could see peaking out of her all-white bouquet.

Natalie shared with me that her bouquet, made by her mom, was loaded with love. Shelly had woven in an earring belonging to Natalie's grandmother and a piece of blue fabric from one of her grandfather's suits. After explaining this, Natalie proudly told me they had been happy soul-mates for 67 years before her grandfather passed away a couple of years ago. 

The bouquet also included a hankie which Shelly had made when Natalie was little by the woman who had sewed Natalie's grandmother's wedding dress. Finally, tucked in amongst the blooms was a charm from a necklace that belonged to Tom's grandma (Natalie's great grandmother).

Every wedding somehow makes a statement about the couple getting married. Jack and Natalie's bright lemon shoes represented the courage to go against common opinion. They'll need that courage as they face a culture that doesn't understand the value of marriage or family. As they stand on the Rock of their shared faith in Jesus, the two of them are blessed to be surrounded by family members eager to do all they can to help the young couple create their own multi-generational legacy as soul-mates.

Birthday Season Wraps Up with Nathaniel's 15th

One of the fabulous aspects of being a super-sized family is that we never run out of reasons to celebrate. Last week we marked Nathaniel's 15th birthday. 

The weekend we celebrated, Nathaniel's brother-in-law, Eric, was visiting from Boston. He helped Faith make Nathaniel's cake.

This wasn't just any dessert, however. This was to be a traveling cake. Nathaniel asked to celebrate his birthday in our favorite nearby park.

This birthday celebration was enhanced by having dear friends, Jamie (pictured here), Marcos and their son, Samuel with us. They'd come from Illinois to celebrate high school graduation with the family the day before.

Once we settled in the park pavilion, Nathaniel opened his gifts, and we ate that traveling cake.

As much as Nathaniel enjoyed the gifts of love from his family members, what made this his "best birthday ever" was having the American couple he first met in his Russia there to help him mark his birthday.

The two of us first met this faith-filled duo who have huge hearts for orphans in Moscow. These links tell some of the story of the time we shared in that beautiful city getting to know Russian children that we would be able to add to our families through adoption if we felt so led. Jamie and Marcos have been Nathaniel's greatest cheerleaders as he's adjust to life in America and in a family. Their prayers have been worth gold to us!

(Marcos and Jamie are in the midst of adopting again, this time two sepcial-needs toddlers from China. To learn more about their adoption journey, click here. I know they would truly appreciate your prayers!)

Now nearly three years later, these four children share what I believe will be a lifelong bond. After all, they have something very unusual in common ~ having been fatherless children who spent years together in the same orphanage. It's no wonder Nathaniel dubbed this his favorite birthday. He was surrounded by the friends with whom he was rescued by the Lord from hopelessness. At age 15, his future couldn't look brighter!

Surprise, Alison!

This week during Alison's visit from Boston, Alison's sister, Zhenya, arranged a surprise baby shower for the little mama.

Zhenya's ruse was to take Alison out for breakfast. Much to Alison's surprise the local breakfast eatery was filled with dear friends eager to help her celebrate the little boy she is carrying.

Thus we were all blessed with great fun and delicious food.

As we all ate and fellowshipped, Alison opened gifts from her kind, generous supporters

And Alison was beyond happy to be surrounded by people so dear to her.

And, of course, much of the crowd was made up of Alison's many sisters. Seven sisters were present, only Anna ~ who lives with her husband and daughters in Ohio ~ was missing.

Friends who have been precious to Alison throughout her growing up years made this event special for her.

Pictured here with our Kirsten (right) is Lindsey. Lindsey and Alison have been friends since they were about eleven. Lindsey is a masterful pianist whose special brand of artistry at the keyboard contributed greatly to the aura of worship Eric and Alison longed for in their wedding.

 Alison's sisters and dear friend Lindsey (in the back row)..

One of Alison's bridesmaids, Kaylee, was in attendance. So was Kaylee's mom, Tanya. Tanya grew to be vital part of Alison's life during our daughter's teen years. Alison spent time in the Henn's house weekly playing the role of a mother's help to Tanya as their family added three new children through adoption and a pregnancy. 

Sisters, friends, and even a hero were on hand to celebrate.

Mary (pictured here on the right) has been married for nearly fifty years. Alison dreams of that kind of legacy for her marriage to Eric. 

Our thanks to all who increased our joy by sharing it!